More Lakas members could defect to NP, says Tañada

MANILA, Philippines—The resignation of the top officials of Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats could lead to more defections to the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manuel Villar, an official from the rival Liberal Party (LP) said.

“Gibo’s (Teodoro) resignation as chairman may lead to more defections from Lakas-Kampi. It shows that there are problems with the party because personalities formerly identified with Lakas-Kampi are aligning themselves with NP,” Quezon Representative and LP spokesman Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III said.

Tañada, a reelectionist congressman, said the development in the ruling administration party “bolsters our claim that Senator Villar is the secret candidate of the administration.”

(Updated 11:05 a.m.) A Palace official said on Wednesday that the resignation of administration standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro as chairman has put the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in a win-win situation.

“If any, it’s a win-win situation for the party, since the new chairman, whoever the party chooses, can concentrate on his role and Secretary Teodoro can likewise focus on his campaign,” deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said in an interview with GMANews.TV.

On the other hand, he said “the President has no comment on the issue, leaving it in the hands of party organizers.”

PUT it this way, now Rep. Nikki Teodoro, Gibo’s wife, will probably get her wish of putting up their own political party for her husband. Tsk, tsk. This is what happens when you disregard Uncle Danding’s wise counsel.